Nashik: The Nashik division of NHAI has begun work to reduce the size of the huge traffic island on the busy Mumbai-Agra NH in the Mumbai Naka area of the city.The plan of the NHAI is to provide a straight road for motorists from the Govindnagar side towards the Dwarka junction. This road will be beneath the elevated corridor of the highway.Currently, motorists coming from Govindnagar have to take a roundabout around the traffic island and then proceed further towards Dwarka from beneath the flyover.The objective is to provide motorists with a straight road for crossing the junction instead of driving around the circle.The long axis of the oval-shaped traffic island is about 240 feet long, which will be reduced by approximately 60 feet to make way for constructing the road.A few months ago, state food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal chaired a meeting of NMC and NHAI officials about traffic jams at the Mumbai Naka Chowk and requested that they evolve a plan to reduce the traffic chaos at that spot.NMC Commissioner Ashok Karanjkar said, As of now, the size of the traffic island will be reduced and a straight road will be built. Subsequently, a traffic signal would also be installed to streamline vehicular traffic.Meanwhile, the Nashik Municipal Corporation is also getting a feasibility report from IIT about constructing a vehicular underpass at the junction that can be used by motorists crossing the highway as a long-term measure.The road signals set up at Dwarka and Pathardi Phata on the same highway passing through the city have lessened the vehicular chaos to a certain extent, said many motorists, adding that a traffic signal could also work at Mumbai Naka.We also published the following articles recentlyMore crashes, deaths at cop-manned junctions than at traffic signal spotsAccording to government data, more people died in road crashes at intersections managed by police personnel than at stretches with traffic signals in India. Fatalities at police-managed intersections increased by 17% from the previous year, with 2,421 deaths compared to 2,238 at traffic light signals. The number of crashes and fatalities also increased at junctions with other traffic control systems, except for those with flashing signals where the numbers fell. Uncontrolled crossings without any traffic signal or police presence remained a major problem, with 24,857 fatalities and 68,833 injuries in 2022. T-junctions were found to have more fatalities and injuries compared to Y- and four-arm junctions.More crashes, deaths at cop-manned junctions than at traffic signal spotsData from the Indian government shows that more road crash fatalities occurred at intersections managed by police personnel than at traffic signal-controlled stretches. Fatalities at police-managed intersections increased by 17% in 2022, with 2,421 deaths compared to 2,238 at traffic light signals. The report also highlights the high number of fatalities at uncontrolled crossings without traffic signals or police presence, with 24,857 deaths in 2022. Drivers were found to be more careless at T-junctions compared to Y- and four-arm junctions. The data suggests a need for improved traffic control systems and driver awareness.Metro rail work sites cause unending traffic congestion near Whites RoadThe construction of metro rail tunnels and stations in Chennai has led to traffic bottlenecks and slowdowns on multiple roads, including Whites Road and West Cott Road-Peters Road junction. Motorists complain about having to hit the brakes frequently and experiencing longer travel times during peak hours. The presence of a mall and a popular cinema theatre further adds to the heavy traffic on Whites Road. Metro rail barricades in the center of the road restrict lane switching and obstruct visibility at night. Traffic police presence is needed to prevent congestion. Numerous roads across the city have been barricaded for metro rail work.

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